Paneled asparagus-can.



G. W. WEBER.

vPANELED AsPARAGUs CAN.v

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 31.1913- LBQQ. Patented Apr. 9,1918. F49. ,1

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GEORGE W. WEBER, 0F ST. EAUL, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOETO .AMERICAN CANCOMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION 0F -NEW'JERSEY.

PANELED AsrAnAGUs-CAN.

Specification of Letters'Patent.

Patented Apr'. e, 1918.

Application filed March 31, 1913. Serial No. 757,846.

broken from rough handling during shipment. f y

Hitherto, glass bottles or jars have sometimes lbeen used for shippingasparagus, but it has been found that the light which passes throughglass, not only bleaches the `asparagus to an undesirable grayish yellowcolor, but also toughens the asparagus, and for these reasons and alsofor the further reason that glass containers are 'not adapted for roughhandling, the use of glass has been practically abandoned in favor oftin containers. Of the sheet metal containers, which have been used forpacking asparagus, there are two types generally used, the same beingthe well known cap-hole type of can and the oblong round corner type ofcan. The caphole can, however, while possessing some ad.- vantages overother forms of containers, is undesirable for the reasons that it is notof the sofcalled sanitary type which is now `being demanded more andmore by the public; the asparagus stalks must be packed one at a timethrough the relatively small opening at the top; and furthermore,because of the difficulty in lacquering or coating the interiors of suchcans which, when notl coated, are attacked by the vegetable acids orgases which cause the formation of large quantities of salts of tin,these salts being sometimes formed in such large quantities that theGovernment will reject the pack on the ground that the vquantity ofsalts eX- ceeds the amount allowed by law. The oblong round corner cansare most generally used and preferred on accountof the fact that thesame are more easily filled and coated, but this type of can isobjectionable for the reasons that the seam-forming flanges at thecorners of the can break easily, thereby preventing the formation ofperfect hermetic seams and because of the difficulty encountered informing a tight double seam along a straight side.' In practice, it isfound that `when forming a double seam along astraight side of a can,the iiange on vthe can body ybacks up during the searning operation `anddoes not unite with the flange of the can end as it should and does inthe `case of thel ordinary sanitary round cans.

Also in the'rectangular or oblong eans,'the Ystrength of the seamuniting theV body and ends is limited to the strength of the foldedportions which sometimes permits of the seam being broken from internalpressure,

whereas,y in the case ofthe double seamed round can, the seam tightensup like a hoop on a barrel and on account of its c1rcular shape, it ispractically impossible to unfold the lseam by pressure from the interiorof the can. Y

The object of my invention is to provide a sheet metal can which is ofthev socalled sanitary type, having f cylindrical end portions wherebythe ends maybe easily double seamed thereto, which is free from all ofthe objectionable features of the caphole and oblong round corner cans,above indicated, which when sealed under a vacuum, will have its paneledsides collapse so as to firmly hold the asparagus or other food-stud inposition and prevent the same from moving yabout within the can duringshipment to thereby preserve the contents intact until delivered to theconsumer, and

in which the collapsed, paneled sides, beingy flexible, will accommodateany harmlessv .gases which may be generated within the can after sealingto thereby prevent the for# mation of what are known as ,swell heads.

The invention furthermore consists in the improvements in the parts anddevices and in the novel arrangement of the parts and devices Y asherein shown, described or claimed.

,In the vdrawing forming a part of this specication, Figure l is aperspective View of a sheet metal can embodying my improvements. Fig. 2is a similar view kof the can illustrated in Fig. 1,'showing the'samelafter the panels have collapsed, and Fig. 3 is a sectional view ofthe'can shown in Fig. 2, taken substantially at theA longitudinal centerof the can. l

'In said drawing, the can is designated generally by the reference A,and, as shown,

iol

comprises a body member B and a bottom C, the latter 'being united tothebody by means of a double sealnlQ- T116 lJQCly cylindrical Y B isnormally substantially throughout, and when supplied to the packer Willbe provided with the usual seam 'erming flange ll at the top, and aplurality of beads, creases, ribs, indentations or other suitable paneloutlining means l2 so arranged: that theportion of they canvbodyfintermediatethe ends, isr divided into a plurality of panels 13,Whichas shown, have parallel sides. and converging upper and lower ends,the number of such panels shown in the dra vf'ing being five, although agreater or less number may be `used .if desired, rThe said beads enablethe tin of the container' body to naturally bend Where they beads.v arelocated, promote the desired collapse of the panels and constitute meansWhich main.- tain the ends ofthe container. of cylindrical contour. Theshape or' collapsible panel illustrated,y With rounded or narrowed upperand lower ends, closely approximates`` the torni oit panel nf'hich.naturally tends. .to form on the side of a cylindrical can when it issubjected to considerable exterior atmospheric pressure; and this formof panel will collapse more at the middle than Will panels ofsubstantially rectangulai-form Without narrowed ends. The can is also,provided with an interior protective coating ,14- of lacquer or. othersuitable material to prevent the tin being attacked bythe vegetable.acids or gases.

Inasmuch as the can, when suppliedto the packer, is substantiallycylindricallrom end to end and is provided with a large open top, thesame may be easily filled by placing the entire bunch of asparagus orother substance at one time in the can, and as is usual, the contents otthe can Will then be processed or cooked by being` passed through anexhaust box or cooker, and'ivliile the contents are still hot and theair in the space at the top of the can in a raretied condition., thecover or closing end can be easily double seamed to the body. Afterthecan has been sealed and the contents allowed to cool, a vacuum Willbe.Y created Within the can, which will causethe flexible p aneledportionS l?) ot' the can to collapse as shown at 13L in Figs. 2 and 3,the collapsible areas being determined and delined by means of the beadsorcreases 1.2 which outline the panels and which also` serve asstrengthening means soj that the portions of the can. outsideI of the`ollilgineclv paneled; portions will be unaffected `by, tlievacuum. Thisaction causes a decrease inthe cross sectional area of the incense canat the central portion thereof, so that the asparagusor otherVoodfstulisJvill-,be li-rmly. gripped 4by themiddle panel portions andprevented from longitudinal movement .in either direction or rotativemovement within the can, and at the same time the delicate tips of theasparagusstalls still occupy as largeaspace as when irst placed in thecan and therefore Will not be crushed or injured.

As indicated inthe foregoing, afterl the can is sealed, any harmlessgases ivhich may be generated Within the can,"will be accommodated bythe outward yielding. of the collapsed panel portions `which are moreflexible than the can ends, thev latter in actual practice being formedwith a'number of ribs or grooves which increase the strength of theends, thereby preventingthe formation ot. swell heads, that is, canshavingV their ends b ulgedfv outwardly and which cannot be sold to thetrade even though the contents oit the can are inperect ediblecondition, these swell heads sometimes causing a large loss to thepacker.

l claim :.-V

l. A1 sheet meta-l; can orhermetically inclosingand gripping foodproducts such as asparagus, the sides of said can beingfcylindricalfromend to end and having cylindrical end portions of substantially thesame diameter, and thev can.havingitssides,between said endportions.outlinedwith panels and normally, before the cany is filled.,circular in cross section, which circular middle portion becomes of lesscross. sectionalarea than is either of the cylindrical .end portions bythe regular collapsing otthesaidipanels, so asto grip .and hold the foodproduct by the said panels at the middle part of' the can and hold thesame vfrom, -movement .within the can, the said panels.. llwngcurved narroived ends which are, outlinedby ,means bentfromthe metalojffthecanbody and n t', t l which promote, and define the limits of, the saidcollapsing and maintain the can of regf ularform and the endsof the,salfneof cylindrical contour. I

2. A sheet metal can for herinetically inclosing. and gripping foodproducts,` the body olf said. canbeingcylindrical, bef ing 'formed withmeans.V tor vdellning", -colf-` l a psible p anels thereon, A `whereby alpartial vacuum produced within the` can cause the regular'collapse of,thejfdenedfpa els and thev holding'oizthe food. product.

, M stessa W. vente.

Witnesses:

Copies of this patent may be obtapinrejor five cents each,byaddressingzthe CommissionerofPatentxs,

' Warrington; nl 0.7

